Governor Rick Snyder has announced a regional pilot program Monday to better manage Michigan's infrastructure assets.
Through graphing and 3-D modeling data gathered by the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), Snyder was able to see the placement of water and sewer lines plus broadband and energy utilities underneath the reconstructed portion of Woodward Avenue in Detroit.
"We need to invest more in our infrastructure, but we need to do it more efficiently," Snyder said. "The whole concept here is, how do we get smarter about coordinating that work so if we're going to tear up that road, let's do multiple forms of work all at the same time."
Snyder said he wants to see Michigan lead the nation in asset management of infrastructure.
"If we do this once and we do it right, we do it well, then we have it done," he said.
Southeast Michigan and west Michigan will take part in the pilot program, which is one of the recommendations of Snyder's 21st Century Infrastructure Commission.
